Yes and yes. Depending on your cat and the race schedule you do at least 3 races a day in a pretty compressed time frame. They are done in an omnium format so you have to pay attention and strategize towards a cumulative goal for three events. The format for every event changes so you have to develop a knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses, and finally events like the points races and others require you to think on your pedals and dose your efforts.

While track seems scary, the no brake factor is actually good; most poeple are pretty circumspect about jamming their wheels into places without that lever to get them out. And without brakes you learn how to do things other than just grab the brakes in tight situations.

Cavendish is the poster boy for track racing, Zabel was another great who did a lot of track events. Wiggins, Phinney...long list.